Mouth. Feet.

Radius Kidz Toothbrush

Children's toothbrush that features a "thumb grip and large comfortable handle" making it "ideal for children and small adults" (courtesy of target.com). The packaging on the toothbrush is made from 50% recycled pop bottles. This set of three retails for $11.99.

Find it Here

There's an adult three pack for $22.99 here



New Balance Sneaker Commitment to American Workers.

"Committed to American Workers

New Balance proudly relies on our manufacturing associates to produce a quarter of our overall footwear production or 7,000,000 pairs of athletic shoes in the U.S. each year. We made our first pair of running shoes in 1938, and hold the distinction as the only company that still manufactures athletic shoes in the U.S. As a company, we are proud to invest in American workers who provide some of the greatest working spirit, commitment to advancement and ingenuity known in the industrial world. For us, Committed to American Workers is more
than a slogan or viewpoint – it is the heart and “sole” of our company. New Balance has proven that high quality athletic footwear can be made by Americans for discriminating consumers. We are proud of our heritage of domestic manufacturing and our strong commitment to
American workers.

Many New Balance shoes are produced by our U.S. workforce using
U.S. and imported materials. When possible, we obtain materials from domestic suppliers. At times, dues to availability, economic or quality reasons, there is a need to import components from foreign sources.

Where the domestic value is at least 70%, we have labeled the shoe “Made in USA.” Where it falls below 70%, we have qualified the label referencing domestic and imported materials. This determination is based in part on the Federal Trade Commission’s survey of consumers.
The FTC’s analysis of the “Made in USA” issue can be found at FTC.gov or for a copy, write to New Balance, 20 Guest Street, Boston, MA, 02135, Attn: Communications.
For more information about New Balance products, please visit
www.newbalance.com or call 1-800-253-SHOE. "

(Original Website Here. Emphasis added)

Starting Up Again.

I haven't written in a very long time but I still try to watch for things that are made in America. I had such a vision for how this website would turn out and I would like to try to bring that vision into a reality. I recently got married and before that finished grad school. With those two things behind me, I plan on having more time to try to get into wed design and researching the whole concept of supporting American made goods. I've seen a few creative things that I shall blog about.

I never read the comments of my last post until today, despite it having been over a year ago. Two of my friends-in-real life and perhaps my only readers commented that they'd be more interested in a blog about cutting down consumerism rather than a blog about buying American made goods. It's my blog and I'll do what I want to--I'll do both, in the same blog.

While I have spent the last year and a half spending a lot less money and buying a lot less junk, I still like to browse, and sometimes, shop. My original goal with this blog was to provide a website where if someone wanted to buy a vacuum cleaner, a guitar, or a flower pot, they'd be able to come to one website and find a database of where they could buy the vacuum cleaner, flower pot, or guitar in a model that was made in America. Let's face it. The country spends a lot of money on material goods--why not keep that money here?

Contradiction.

I created this blog as a shopping blog and I've kind of abbandoned it, primarily because starting this year, I've decided to rid myself of the consumerism bug that has infected us all. I read the first few sections of
Consumed: How Markets Corrupt Children, Infantilize Adults, and Swallow Citizens Whole by Benjamin R. Barber, but haven't had a chance to finish it. I don't need to though--the first few pages did enough convincing. Sure, I still spent money in January, but not nearly as much as I would have before.

Here are a few tips for breaking old spending habits:

1. Don't buy it if you have something that's similar.
I used to buy a lot of purses. Now I realize what a waste they all are, and so I rotate them more often for more variety.

2. If you don't go to the stores, you won't be tempted.
I can't set foot in a T J Maxx or all goals will be thrown out the window.

3. Don't carry a lot of cash or credit cards.
If you can't pay for it, you probably won't buy it.


I also stopped buying lunch at work because I was spending 6+ dollars on ONE meal and it was food that was bad for me anyways.

BUT if you must buy
Wal-mart does have a brand of TOWELS that is made in the USA. I believe it's SpringMaid. Check the tags.

Green-American gifts

Maybe it's too late for Christmas 2007 but let's not forget, VALENTINE'S day is right around the corner.

Anyways. I've also been trying to buy more "Green" products, products that are recycled or good for the environment...

How about this awesome snack tray made from a record?
And made in the United States!
http://store.greenfeet.com/itemdesc.asp?ic=6003-02262-0000


Store.greenfeet.com also has a lot of other fun gifts, some made in the US, some aren't.
They have plants in a bag, that you grow out of paperbags, handmade soy candles, etc.

They even have this great cushion to sit or lay on, made from pop bottles!



"Made from Recycled Materials
Made with soft EcoFleece outside (from 87% recycled soda bottles) and fully stuffed with 100% recycled polyester fiberfill, also from soda bottles. Both fleece shell and inside pillow are commercial machine washable and hypo-allergenic. The Landing Pad saves 170 soda bottles from clogging up our landfills. 60"dia. X 10" h. Made in USA."


If you need a tote for toting around your items and not needing to use disposable plastic bags, Greenfeet offers chic totes for doing so.

The brown bag on the right is made in the US and runs for about $24.00.

Happy Holidays!

Socks

Target doesn't sell American-made socks. That might be why I was so happy to find all kinds of great socks at Marshall's, the discount store similar to TJ Maxx.

One brand, Wyoming Wear, makes a great fleece sock for the adventurers in your life. At Marshall's, they were priced at $7.99. On their website, the only picture they show is of an ugly style, for $12.99. (Wyomingwear.com)


Marshall's also had Columbia sportswear socks, heavy duty ones that a fashionable lumber jack might wear, for a reasonable price.

Sorry

I'm sorry for the lack of posting.

Today's brand is Crafstman. Quality tools, made in America, extensive product line. Great Christmas gifts for the man in your life. Sold at K-Mart/Sears.

Clothing, very briefly.

NO NONSENSE! No Nonsense socks and hosiery are made in the good ole' U S of A. A quick visit to their website disapointed me though, because their pajama tops are not made in the United States. Seems like if they can make some socks here, they can make a tank top in the same facility. On the other, environmentally friendly hand, they are making some "Organic" and bamboo clothing items. Good for them.

I looked at some baby clothes, none of which were made in the USA. I'll keep looking.